European Parliament Rejects EC’s “Country of Origin” Proposals

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European Parliament has voted to reject a set of reforms laid out by the European Commission (EC) that threaten the territory-by-territory licensing of films and TV series across the European Union.

Politicians voted 344 to 265 against most of the EC’s so-called SatCab proposal, which aims to do away with country-by-country licensing and allow European broadcasters to air movies and TV series on their services across all E.U. countries—provided they had licensed the show in their country of origin. In November, European Parliament’s Juri Committee for Legal Affairs voted to throw out the “Country of Origin” proposal; this new decision upholds that ruling.

Now, Parliament is ready to start talks with the Council on the new rules as soon as EU governments have agreed their own negotiating position.